Editorial: Ask yourself, what should Jackson be known for?

Coneys are served up at Virginia Coney Island, 649 E. Michigan Ave. Should Jackson be known as the home of quirky and fun eating experiences like this? Something else?

JACKSON, MI — It seems like Jackson is always going through some sort of identity crisis, isn't it?

Are we a manufacturing town? Prison city? Or with the latest downtown development, will we soon be a regional hub for downtown nightlife?

Are we a hotbed of history, with the once "world-famous" Cascades and the birthplace of the Republican Party? Or will we define ourselves by economic innovation as new businesses replace traditional industry? Is it enough to serve coneys with a smile?

That's seven questions in a row, so we apologize if this comes across as navel-gazing. Still, we were moved to ask what's really an age-old question — what should Jackson be known for? — by a pair of fresh stories.

As reporter Tarryl Jackson has been writing, downtown Jackson has been enjoying a burst of activity lately. First, there have been restaurants, both opening and in the works, and now a splash of retail. Downtown stands to become more of a destination than in years.

Meanwhile, astronaut Al Worden returns home to Jackson on Saturday for an event at Jackson Community College. To those who don't know his name, Worden is an important figure in Jackson's past, one of a handful of astronauts with connections to the city. When moon landings once captured a generation's imagination, our community rightly bragged of its role in the space program.

A community Jackson's size cannot be defined by a single description, but it matters how we perceive ourselves — and how we present ourselves to others. Jackson Community College once was home to the Michigan Space and Science Center. That closed a decade ago, and Jackson's role in space history is little known.

Jackson's collection of quirky and indulgent dining destinations, and the downtown area, seem to be recognized more and more. West Texas Barbeque and the Grass Lake Diner were saluted in MLive's ongoing "Michigan's Best" series, and locals can list many unique restaurants, from the Roxy Cafe and The Parlour to Schlenker's and the International Dog House.

In an age where people seek out "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," can we carve out a niche when it comes to culinary and cultural tourism? Should civic leaders, elected officials and the Chamber of Commerce instead aim to lure manufacturers above all else?

We don't offer the answer, but we do know it takes a civic consensus about our image before Jackson can build the economy and, perhaps as important, our self-confidence. We know what happens otherwise: We get branded a "prison town" and have no response to that erroneous stereotype.

So, an editorial that starts with questions ends with one, too: What should Jackson be known for?